What do I need to apply for and when? For every life situation: the right benefits, deadlines and authorities.
7
Life phases
9
Required steps
2026
Data as of
Click a phase to expand the steps.
We are pregnant
What needs to be done before birth? Applications, deadlines and preparations.
Inform employer
RequiredInform your employer of the pregnancy as early as possible (§ 15 MuSchG). Required for maternity protection to apply.
Get Mutterpass (maternity record)
RequiredThe Mutterpass is issued at the first prenatal check-up (approx. week 8–12). Contains all key pregnancy data.
Prepare Elterngeld application
RecommendedGather documents: payslips for last 12 months, tax assessment. Application can only be filed after birth, but preparation saves time.
Notify health insurer
RecommendedStatutory health insurer pays Mutterschaftsgeld (€13/day) from week 12. Notify early.
Use pregnancy calculator
InfoCalculate all deadlines (due date, maternity protection, Elterngeld deadline) automatically.
Baby is born
The first weeks: statutory obligations and applications that must be filed quickly.
Register birth at Standesamt
RequiredThe birth must be registered within one week at the local Standesamt (§ 18 PStG). Without the birth certificate, other applications cannot be filed.
Register child with health insurer
RequiredEnrol child in family health insurance (§ 10 SGB V). Can be backdated to birth date — act quickly nevertheless.
Apply for Kindergeld
RequiredApply at Familienkasse. Retroactive for max. 6 months — but do not wait too long (€259/month from 2026).
Apply for Elterngeld
RequiredRetroactive for max. 3 months. Apply early to reduce waiting time. Basic: 67% of net salary, min. €300, max. €1,800/month.
Check / change tax class
RecommendedWith a child, review beneficial tax class combination. Class III/V or Faktorverfahren can increase Elterngeld (based on net salary 12 months before birth).
Child turns 3 — Kita start
From age 1 there is a legal right to childcare. What to do when the child starts Kita?
Register for Kita early
RecommendedPopular nurseries have waiting lists of 1–2 years. Legal right to a place from age 1 (§ 24 SGB VIII). Register as early as possible.
Check Kita fees
InfoDepending on the state, Kita fees may be income-based or free. Berlin, Thuringia, Saarland: fully free.
Reassess Wohngeld (if income changed)
InfoKita costs can affect Wohngeld eligibility. After returning from parental leave, recalculate with new income.
Child turns 18
At 18, automatic Kindergeld ends. How and when does it extend for training and studies?
Check Kindergeld extension
RequiredKindergeld is paid up to age 25 if the child is in vocational training or studying (§ 32 EStG). Parents must actively submit training/study certificate.
Kinderfreibetrag in tax return
InfoThe tax office automatically checks whether the Kinderfreibetrag (€9,756 in 2026) or Kindergeld is more favourable (§ 31 EStG).
Check child health insurance
InfoFamily health insurance (§ 10 SGB V) free up to age 25 if no own income above threshold. With own job: own insurance required.
Separation or divorce
What benefits and rights exist after separation with children?
Apply for Unterhaltsvorschuss
RecommendedIf the other parent does not pay maintenance: apply for Unterhaltsvorschuss at the Jugendamt (€227–394/month by age, 2026).
Apply for tax class II (single parent)
RecommendedSingle parents can apply for tax class II: Entlastungsbetrag of €4,260/year. Apply at the tax office.
Check Düsseldorfer Tabelle
InfoCalculate child maintenance using the Düsseldorfer Tabelle. Amount depends on net income of the liable parent and child's age.
Reassess Wohngeld
RecommendedIncome reduction due to separation may create or increase Wohngeld entitlement.
Unemployed with children
Which benefits are available to families without employment income?
Register for unemployment benefit / Bürgergeld
RequiredRegister with Jobcenter / Agentur für Arbeit within 3 days of job loss. Delay can result in disqualification periods.
Check Kinderzuschlag eligibility
RecommendedIf a minimum earned income still exists despite unemployment (€600 single parent, €900 couple): Kinderzuschlag of up to €297/child/month may be possible instead of Bürgergeld.
Check Wohngeld
InfoWith Bürgergeld (SGB II): no Wohngeld. With Arbeitslosengeld I (not SGB II): Wohngeld possible. Check if Wohngeld + Kinderzuschlag exceeds Bürgergeld.
Expecting twins or multiples
Special rules for Elterngeld, Kindergeld and maternity protection for multiple births.
Elterngeld multiple birth bonus
InfoFor multiple births, there is a sibling bonus and multiples supplement: €300/month multiples supplement for each additional child (second and beyond).
Extended maternity protection
InfoFor multiple births, post-birth maternity protection extends to 12 weeks instead of 8 (§ 3 para. 2 MuSchG).
Kindergeld for every child
RequiredKindergeld is paid for every multiple birth child (€259/child/month 2026). For twins: €518/month total.
All information is general guidance (as of May 2026). Deadlines and responsibilities may vary by state and individual situation. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.
— Editorial
Redaktion Faktencheck
Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance
Before every release, our fact-check team reconciles the core figures — Kindergeld rate, Elterngeld thresholds, Kinderzuschlag tiers, Düsseldorfer Tabelle — with the latest official publications. Every cent shown in a calculator is traceable to a specific statute or agency notice.
Fact-checked by:Redaktion Faktencheck — Source Verification & Editorial Quality Assurance
Last reviewed:May 2026
Researched and editorially reviewed. Not legal advice within the meaning of § 2 RDG.
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